“The man I married just last week is gone” – Rute Cardoso, Diogo Jota’s widow, speaks out for the first time
Just ten days before the unthinkable, Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, in a private ceremony in Porto on June 22, 2025. Surrounded by their three children and closest loved ones, it was a day filled with joy and hope—a celebration of their love and future together. But the happiness didn’t last.
Diogo’s final Instagram post, a wedding video with the caption “A day we will never forget,” now feels painfully prophetic. What was meant as a joyful memory has become a sorrowful echo.
Tragedy on the A‑52
In the early morning hours of July 3, Diogo and his brother André were traveling on Spain’s A‑52 highway in Zamora when disaster struck. A tyre blew out while they were overtaking, causing their Lamborghini to crash and burst into flames. Both men were killed instantly. Diogo was found with his wedding ring still on his finger.
Rute speaks: The words she’ll never forget
Now heartbroken, Rute Cardoso has spoken publicly for the first time since the tragedy. She revealed the last words Diogo said to her before he left that morning:
“I can’t believe the man I married last week is gone…”
What was likely meant as a playful or loving remark now rings with a haunting finality. Those words are etched in Rute’s memory—both a tribute to their love and a reminder of its devastating loss.
The football world mourns
The global football community has been left stunned. Liverpool FC, UEFA, and the Portuguese national team observed moments of silence. Teammates and coaches, including Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jürgen Klopp, expressed their shock and sorrow. Women’s Euro players also stood in tribute before matches.
Cristiano Ronaldo, a close teammate and friend, expressed his disbelief: “We were just together on national duty… and now you’re gone, right after your wedding…”
Legacy, love, and unbearable grief
Diogo’s football journey was remarkable—from his early days in Porto’s youth clubs to stardom at Wolves and Liverpool, to his standout performances for Portugal. Over five seasons at Liverpool, he scored 65 goals in 182 games and helped win a Premier League title, FA Cup, and two League Cups.
But beyond his achievements, it’s his love for his family and Rute that shines brightest—and now cuts the deepest. The man who proudly said “Yes to forever” just days ago is now a memory.
Speaking through unimaginable grief, Rute said softly: “His last words to me before he passed on still echo in my mind.” Behind her words is the pain of a woman who must carry on alone, holding tight to their brief wedding memories and his final, haunting message.
A story the world won’t forget
As tributes continue to pour in from across the globe, one question remains: how does someone go on after such a heartbreaking loss?
Diogo Jota will be remembered not only for his brilliance on the pitch, but for the love he showed off it—for his family, his humility, and the way he cherished his wife. Rute’s grief, now shared by the world, reminds us how fragile life truly is.
This isn’t just the story of a life lost too soon—it’s a reminder that even in our happiest moments, tragedy can strike. And sometimes, the most unforgettable words are those spoken just before goodbye.
